Primordial Bones: Mammal Paleontology and The Human Story
Date: Tue, Jun 30, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Venue: South Regional Library – South Meeting Room, Durham
Price: Free
Category: Community
<p>Enter the time machine of South Regional Library for a journey to the distant past and a look at the bones of our distant ancestors with Dr. Matt Borths, curator of the Duke Lemur Center Museum of Natural History. This talk will highlight the rich mammalian fossil collection at the DLC, the importance of mammal paleontology, and the origins of human life. </p> <p>Dr. Borths is <strong>Curator of the DLC Museum of Natural History.</strong> He earned his bachelor's degrees from The Ohio State University (Geological Sciences and Anthropology) and his Ph.D. from Stony Brook University (Anatomical Sciences).</p> <p>Matt is a paleontologist who studies the evolution of animals in Africa, particularly the evolution of carnivorous mammals -- including some of the oldest meat-eaters to chase down our primate ancestors. He has been part of field projects in Egypt, Madagascar, Oman, Kenya, Tanzania, Wyoming, and North Dakota. Matt is the co-creator of <strong><a aria-label="Past Time" href="http://www.pasttime.org/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Past Time</a>, </strong>a project that uses a podcast, blog, social media, and virtual classroom visits to teach non-specialists about the paleontology and the scientific process.</p>
